7 Extraordinary Types of Ant

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Here we present to you our choices for 7 Extraordinary Types of Ant. Now, to be certain, these particular species barely scratch the surface of the more than 12,500 recognized species around the world. Furthermore, experts estimate that perhaps as many as another 10,000 species remain unrecognized. However, some naturally stand out from the rest for one reason or another. We hope you enjoy reading about our choices to represent a few of these outstanding representatives of the Hymenoptera Order.

Bullet Ant Distribution, Habitat, and Ecology

Firstly, the fascinating Bullet Ant also evolved completely endemic to lowland rainforests and currently exists in a range from Nicaragua to the extreme east of the Honduras, and south to Paraguay, in South America.

Further, the insect appears to be fully predatory in nature. Just like other species of ants, it does not display any apparent degree of polymorphism within the worker caste. The queen also grows only slightly larger than the workers themselves.

Most notably, the extreme pain of the sting of this insect is generally considered to be greater than that of any other species of known insect. The pain is above that of even the tarantula hawk wasp whose name derives from the comparison of the pain to being shot with a bullet.

Most notably, the sting causes excruciating pain that continues unabated for up to 24 hours. The Bullet Ant has also apparently evolved its sting to ward off any predators that would normally prey upon them.

Finally, the powerful toxin is also currently under investigation for possible medical applications.

Fire Ant

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Fire Ant Facts

Coming second on our list of 7 Extraordinary Types of Ant comes the well-known and often greatly feared species known as the Fire Ant.

Firstly, the term serves as the common name for several species of ants in the genus Solenopsis, all of which sting.

Furthermore, these tiny but surprisingly powerful and dangerous invertebrates often attack small animals and can kill them.

Most notably, other species of ant just bite and then spray acid on the wound. However, these ants bite only to get a grip and then sting.

In addition, after biting, the insect then injects a toxic alkaloid venom called solenopsin, causing an extreme burning sensation, hence the name.

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Fire Ant Physical Description

Firstly, given that the term Fire Ant applies to several related species, physical characteristics vary somewhat between the different species.

Furthermore, even within the same species, physical differences exist between the three different castes existing within the colony.

In the coloring of the invertebrate, all castes tend to have a copperish-brown head and body, along with a rather darker abdomen.

However, the workers tend to display darker shades and vary in length from a truly diminutive 0.08 – 0.24 in (2 – 6 mm).

Kingdom: Animalia

Phylum: Euarthropoda

Class: Insecta

Order: Hymenoptera

Family: Formicidae

Genus: Solenopsis

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Fire Ant Distribution, Habitat, and Ecology

Although the various forms of Fire Ant evolved as native to regions of South America, many have now spread to widely scattered sections of the globe.

Firstly, small groups of queens or single queens found colonies. Further, even if only one queen survives, within a month or so, the colony can expand to thousands of individuals.

In addition, the typical Fire Ant colony produces large mounds in open areas, where individuals primarily feed on young plants, seeds and sometimes crickets.

These ants also tend to be more aggressive than most indigenous species, thus they have pushed many species out, even possibly into extinction.

Finally, the queens may live as long as 6-7 years. During their lifetimes, these can produce up to 3,500 eggs per day.

That adds up to roughly 9 million eggs produced during a single queen’s lifetime.

Saharan Silver Ant

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Saharan Silver Ant Facts

The Saharan Silver Ant is one of the most visually remarkable of all the various species on our list of 7 Extraordinary Types of Ant.

Most notably, this astonishing invertebrate looks a mobile piece of living tinsel crawling through the desert.

In addition, this incredible insect only leaves its nest once per day, en masse, for about ten minutes, resembling an undulating silver carpet.

This practice serves as another defense against the combination of the extreme heat of its environment and the threat of predators.

Also, the Saharan Silver Ant has even developed the behavioral trait of lifting its two front feet clear of the sand when it moves at full speed.

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Saharan Silver Ant Physical Description

First of all, the incredible Saharan Silver Ant has developed several unique physical characteristics that set it apart from related species.

Rather obviously, its legs grow much longer than those of other ant species. Due to this, the exoskeleton remains further from the hot sand.

Finally, the tiny but still quite dazzling insect has developed perhaps the most unusual body hair of any creature on earth.

The small hairs that cover the body actually develop as three-sided, not round. This serves as an extraordinary feat of adaptive evolution.

Kingdom: Animalia

Phylum: Arthropoda

Class: Insecta

Order: Hymenoptera

Family: Formicidae

Genus: Cataglyphis

Species: C. bombycina

Source: http://bit.ly/1JPkWAg Photographer: Bjørn Christian Tørrissen

Saharan Silver Ant Distribution, Habitat, and Ecology

Most noteworthy, the Saharan Silver Ant evolved as solely endemic to certain portions of the Sahara Desert, in Africa.

Having evolved in such an incredibly hot and dry climate, it has also developed numerous behavioral adaptations.

It may be diminutive, but it remains extremely organized, however. Due to this, scouts maintain a constant watch for the departure of predators.

Further, the moment the threat goes away, these sentries sound the all-clear and the entire colony races into action like a silver wave.

The entire group also navigates by tracking the precise position of the sun, thereby eliminating the loss of precious moments orienting themselves.

Finally, animal carcasses spotted previously by scouts are scavenged with military precision, somewhat like a silver brigade.

Gigantiops Destructor

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Photo Credit: Boro

Gigantiops Destructor Facts

Listing as fourth on our list of 7 Extraordinary Types of Ant comes the rather impressively named Gigantiops Destructor.

Firstly, this uniquely named insect represents the sole member of its genus. With a name like that, you would think one is enough.

The common name forms a somewhat deceptive sobriquet, however. Although its behavior is most unusual for a eusocial species, this insect remains of overall average size.

However, only the eyes of the Gigantiops Destructor grow unusually large. Most notably, it possesses the largest eyes, relative to body size, of any known species of ant.

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Photo Credit: Boro

Gigantiops Destructor Physical Description

Due to the somewhat outrageous name, many expect the Gigantiops Destructor to tower over related species in terms of sheer physical size.

However, despite the name researchers gave it, this invertebrate appears similar to other ant species of its type in overall size, except for its eyes.

The exceptionally large eyes, however, set this particular species apart, and provide it with excellent vision of approaching predators.

Additionally, the legs of this remarkable insect evolved as incredibly powerful, even in relation to other jumping ants.

Kingdom: Animalia

Phylum: Arthropoda

Class: Insecta

Order: Hymenoptera

Family: Formicidae

Genus: Gigantiops

Species: G. destructor

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Gigantiops Destructor Distribution, Habitat, and Ecology

Most notably, to date, the only known habitat of the Gigantiops Destructor consists of the Amazon region of South America.

In that region, the rather powerful insect makes its nests in various locations, including soil, rotted wood, or even abandoned animal dens.

This insect has also evolved a resourceful and innovative defensive strategy of building its nests in close proximity to the dreaded Bullet Ant.

In addition, this species preys primarily on a variety of small arthropods. Rather surprisingly, in a pattern that appears unique among eusocial insects, individual members do not cooperate in hunting or feeding habits.

Despite its rather fearsome name, the Gigantiops Destructor generally uses its incredible leaping ability to flee at the sight of humans or potential threats.

Driver Ant

Driver Ant Facts

Next, on this list of 7 Extraordinary Types of Ant we present the infamous insect many people fear, the Driver Ant.

Firstly, its common name serves as the name of a rather extensive genus of army ants. Further, the majority of the species of this genus reside in extremely arid regions.

Unlike the majority of ants, however, it does not reside in permanent ant hills. It does form them, but these structures typically get used for three months at most, usually far less.

Also, each colony often contains in excess of 20 million individuals. It remains fully capable of stinging but rarely does so because it usually relies on its incredibly powerful jaws to defend itself.

Driver Ant Distribution, Habitat, and Ecology

The various forms of Driver Ant inhabit different areas, yet the greatest percentage of these inhabit either eastern or central Africa.

However, in smaller numbers, this powerful and often dangerous insect also occurs throughout a range extending to tropical portions of Asia.

The impressive Driver Ant also remains well-known for the enormous marching columns it sometimes forms. This occurs seasonally when food supplies begin to dwindle.

In addition, these enormous columns occasionally contain as many as 50 million individuals. Though these columns remain extremely dangerous, one can easily avoid them because the column progresses at no more than 65 ft (20 m) per hour.

The ants will also fiercely defend the column against an attacker of any size. The bite has incredible power and generates great pain. Once it bites, it will not release, even if torn in two.

Yet interestingly, local indigenous peoples often use a Driver Ant as a natural suture, getting the ant to bite on both sides of a wound. The body then gets torn off, leaving the jaws holding the wound closed. This will actually hold for several days, allowing the wound to begin to heal.

Rasberry Crazy Ant

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Rasberry Crazy Ant Facts

The sixth remarkable entry on our list of 7 Extraordinary Types of Ant is the distinctively named Rasberry Crazy Ant.

Firstly, the common name of this invertebrate names a highly invasive and destructive species of ant native to a tropical environment.

Also popular as the tawny crazy ant or Nylanderia fulva, this incredible species, unlike most others, has multiple queens in a single nest.

In addition, this invertebrate appears to displace other ant species, even the dreaded fire ant, given its tendency to reproduce in vast numbers.

Finally, in the United States, this particular ant is considered an invasive species of insect, with the heaviest infestation occurring in the state of Texas.

Source: http://bit.ly/RkgfYI Photographer: Danny McDonald

Rasberry Crazy Ant Physical Description

Firstly, the Rasberry Crazy Ant, despite its fearsome reputation and destructive tendencies, remains a rather diminutive variety of ant.

In fact, the average individual only grows to about 0.125 in (3.2 mm) in length, making it somewhat smaller than competing species.

In coloring, this tiny but quite impressive insect also resembles many related species, being primarily shades of red and dark brown.

Finally, the majority of its body also develops a covering of small, reddish-brown hairs, which aid in camouflage.

Kingdom: Animalia

Phylum: Euarthropoda

Class: Insecta

Order: Hymenoptera

Family: Formicidae

Genus: Nylanderia

Species: N. fulva

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Rasberry Crazy Ant Distribution, Habitat, and Ecology

Although the Rasberry Crazy Ant now inhabits a wide range of the world, the remarkable invertebrate evolved as native to portions of South America.

Rather uniquely among related species, this particular insect does not normally construct a nest, preferring another approach.

Most commonly, the insect chooses to establish its massive colonies under large stones or piles of whatever debris it finds convenient.

Most notably, it actually tends aphids for the sugar-rich liquid these secrete, as well as consuming small vertebrates, insects, and plants.

Finally, this astounding creature has a strange and unexplained affinity for electrical equipment, often causing great damage

Bulldog Ant

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Bulldog Ant Facts

Last, but certainly not least, on our list of 7 Extraordinary Types of Ant is the truly impressive, and aptly named, Bulldog Ant.

Firstly, the term serves as the collective name applied to a genus of roughly 90 species of ants, inhabiting various parts of the world.

This rather fascinating genus derives its name from its reputation for aggressiveness and unparalleled instinctive tenacity.

This occurs partly due to the fact that if this insect gets torn in half, the head and body survive for up to 30 minutes.

Furthermore, during this time, the two halves of the insect will automatically engage in battle, literally fighting with itself.

Finally, during this battle, the head will grasp the rear half with its pincers, while the rear half repeatedly stings the head fiercely.

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Bulldog Ant Physical Description

Since the term Bulldog Ant applies to numerous separate species within a single genus, physical appearance naturally varies somewhat.

However, certain physical characteristics do remain consistent between the different types of ant known by this common name.

Firstly, individuals of the various representative species range in size from as small as 0.6 in (1.5 cm) to as large as 1.6 in (4.1 cm) in length.

For the majority of the genus, coloring remains rather variable. However, this most commonly consists of combined shades of red and black.

Kingdom: Animalia

Phylum: Euarthropoda

Class: Insecta

Order: Hymenoptera

Family: Formicidae

Genus: Myrmecia

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Photo Credit: J Green, CSIRO Entomology

Bulldog Ant Distribution, Habitat, and Ecology

Perhaps most notably, all but one species of Bulldog Ant evolved as endemic to Australia. The lone exception, however, evolved as native to New Caledonia.

Also, given that the genus includes so many species, habitat preferences quite naturally vary, sometimes significantly.

However, in terms of nesting choices, most of these invertebrates prefer to construct a nest in either soil rotten wood, or even under larger rocks.

In addition, the adult Bulldog Ant feeds on a variety of sources but primarily consumes honeydew, fruit, seeds, gums, fungi, and nectar.

The larvae remain entirely carnivorous, however. Most notably, these eat small insects that the adult workers bring to them in the colony.

Throughout Australia, the Bulldog Ant also remains well-known both for its extreme aggressiveness and the results of its quite powerful sting.

Finally, this insect remains one of the few known species of ants which has female workers. These are capable of reproduction if the queen should be killed.

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Photo Credit: Boro

We hope that you have enjoyed this listing of 7 Extraordinary Types of Ant. These remarkable insects exist natively in virtually every part of the globe, excepting only Antarctica and a few islands. Wherever the various species live, each generally plays a vital role in the local ecology. Sadly, however, many of them find themselves threatened with extinction, due to such factors as climate change and habitat loss.